Testing the ground for subway to the sea

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Drill rigs and hard hats are popping up at a few Los Angeles intersections this week. KPCC’s Brian Watt says L.A. Metro is testing the ground for the proposed Westside Subway Extension.

This is the latest item on L.A. Metro’s long to-do list for the subway to the sea – taking underground soil samples for an environmental impact report.

Crews plan to start digging today at the intersection of Highland and Selma avenues. They’ll begin tomorrow at Santa Monica Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars, and on Thursday at Wilshire Boulevard and Detroit Street.
The drilling in each spot goes from 9 in the morning to 3:30 in the afternoon for three weekdays.

It will block off the parking lane and up to one traffic lane in each area. People nearby should expect some noise and a little vibration from the drilling. L.A. Metro is looking at extending its Purple Line along Wilshire Boulevard to the city of Santa Monica and an extension west from the Hollywood/Highland subway stop via Santa Monica Boulevard.